Cathy Dobson/Local Journalism Initiative

Sarnia-Lambton Crime Stoppers is offering the largest reward in its history for information leading to the arrest of a suspect in the April 10 murder of Sarnian Dane Nisbet.

“In my 10 years as president of Crime Stoppers, this is the biggest reward we’ve ever offered,” said Sean Robbins during a press conference at police headquarters Friday.

He thanked Sarnia City/County Councillor Bill Dennis for making a $25,000 donation, bringing the total reward to $50,000. 

Sarnia police have a team working full-time on the investigation, said Sarnia Police Chief Derek Davis.

“The investigation has been going very well.  I think it’s truly a matter of time until the suspect is arrested.”

Gunfire was reported at a campus bar at Lambton College just before 1 a.m. April 10. When police arrived they located three injured men.

Despite lifesaving efforts at the scene and at Bluewater Health, 20-year-old Dane Nisbet died. Two of his friends are recovering.

Police say the primary suspect is identified as Kyaw “Chin” Doe.  A Canada-wide warrant for his arrest is in force and police believe Doe is “actively evading arrest,” a press release said. 

Three others have been arrested in relation to the murder.  Oudom (Richard) Bun, 23, of London, was arrested April 11 and charged with second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.  Johnathan Osborne-Walsh, 19, and Ava-Leigh Lightheart, 19, both of Sarnia, were arrested April 12 and charged with various offences including accessory after the fact to murder. 

Crime Stoppers initially contributed a $5,000 reward for any tips and the Sarnia Police Services Board approved another $20,000. Dennis’ contribution brings the reward to $50,000, an amount the chief said he hopes will expedite an arrest.

Davis didn’t want to comment on whether tips have already been received through Crime Stoppers. “We receive information on a regular basis from a variety of sources,” he said.  “This is a really important case to us and to the community. We’re very careful with the details of the investigation.”

Crime Stoppers has operated in Sarnia since 1986 and depends on a policy of complete anonymity to encourage tips.  Even if a tip leads to an arrest, the public won’t know that’s the case, said Robbins.

“We never identify that it was a tip from Crime Stoppers (that lead to an arrest),” he said.  “That way, we elongate the anonymity of Crime Stoppers’ tipsters.”

Sarnia-Lambton Crimestoppers has a long history of success, Robbins added.  Calls have led to thousands of arrests and the recovery of substantial amounts of property.

Davis said the police have a “working theory” about what happened April 10 but it won’t be shared publicly.

New photos of Doe were released this week highlighting large tattoos on his neck and hand, and smaller ones on his face.  

“I suspect he doesn’t still look like his wanted posters,” Davis said, adding that an attempt to cover the neck tattoo would be noticed as the weather warms.  “His only option is to turn himself in.”

Police say Doe is also known to use the name Leo King. 

Anyone with information about Doe or the homicide investigation is asked to call Sarnia Police at 519-344-8861.  Anonymous tips can be made through Crimestoppers at 519-332-8477 or www.p3tips.com.